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How do I COMPELTELY reset Firefox (Default Settings, Customizations, History, Bookmarks, EVERYTHING)

user2810885
user2810885
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Hello, I am having trouble completely resetting Firefox. Someone else used to use the same computer as me. I used Chrome and they used Firefox. However, they no longer use this computer and I would like to start using Firefox as my primary browser. The issue is, there is no way to completely reset Firefox. I've tried "refreshing it", but that does not start Firefox from a clean slate: as evidenced by bookmarks still being there. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Firefox, which also does not reset anything. Is there no way to just completely "factory reset" Firefox? Please help.

Hello, I am having trouble completely resetting Firefox. Someone else used to use the same computer as me. I used Chrome and they used Firefox. However, they no longer use this computer and I would like to start using Firefox as my primary browser. The issue is, there is no way to completely reset Firefox. I've tried "refreshing it", but that does not start Firefox from a clean slate: as evidenced by bookmarks still being there. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Firefox, which also does not reset anything. Is there no way to just completely "factory reset" Firefox? Please help.

All Replies (2)

TyDraniu
TyDraniu
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Hi, enter about:profiles in the URL bar and create a new profile. After making it default, you can remove the old one.

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Hi bztravis88, nearly all of the customization is stored at the Firefox profile level (similar to a different person in Chrome). Please try this:

Inside Firefox, type or paste about:profiles in the address bar and press Enter/Return to load it.

Click the "Create a New Profile" button, then click Next. Enter a name with no spaces like bztravis88, ignore the option to relocate the profile folder, and click the Finish button.

After creating the profile, scroll down to it and click the Launch profile in new browser button.

Firefox should open a new window that looks like a brand new, uncustomized installation. (Your existing Firefox window(s) should not be affected.) So far so good?

Firefox will suggesting signing in to your Firefox Account. If you previously used Firefox Sync in the other user's profile, this likely will bring over unwanted changes. I think you need to either clean that up manually before or after Sync, or flush the Sync account by doing a password reset: I've lost my Firefox Sync account information - What to do.

After confirming that the new profile works, close all the Firefox windows and restart Firefox. Firefox should start in the new profile automatically.

All good?

Finally, you can return to the about:profiles page and delete the unwanted profile.